Rochester sold to Marcus Mulhausen?' Yes, I said. 'Well,' said he, 'it's
not land, it's the top of the biggest coal mine in Wales, steam coal,
and Mulhausen is going to work it himself. He was offered two hundred
and fifty thousand for the land last week, they have been boring there
for the last half year,' that's what he told me, and I verified it this
morning. Of course Mulhausen spotted the land for what it was worth, and
laid his trap for this fool."

Jones restrained his emotions with an effort, not knowing in the least
his relationship to the violent one. Mr. Collins made it clear.

"Your nephew has evidently fallen into a trap, your Grace," said he.
Then turning to Jones:

"I warned you not to sell that land--Heaven knows I knew little enough
of the district and less of its mineral worth; still, I was adverse from
parting with land--always am--and especially to such a sharp customer as
Mulhausen. I told you to have an expert opinion. I had not minerals in
my mind. I thought, possibly, it might be some railway extension in
prospect--and it was your last bit of property without mortgage on it.
Yes, I told you not to do it, and it's done."

"Oh, Arthur," sighed the elderly woman. "Your last bit of land--and to
think it should go like that. I never dreamed I should have to say those
words to my son." Then stiffening and turning to Collins. "But I did not
come to complain, I came to see if justice cannot be done. This is
robbery. That terrible man with the German name has robbed Arthur. It is
quite plain. What can be done?"

"Absolutely nothing," replied Collins.

"Nothing?"

"Your ladyship must believe me when I say nothing can be done. What
ground can we have for moving? The sale was perfectly open and above
board. Mulhausen made no false statement--I am right in saying that, am
I not?" turning to Jones.

Jones had to nod.

"And that being the case we are helpless."

"But if it can be proved that he knew there was coal in the land, and if
he bought it concealing that knowledge, surely, surely the law can make
him give it back," said the simple old lady, who it would seem stood in
the place of Rochester's unfortunate mother.

Mr. Collins almost smiled.

"Your ladyship, that would give no handle to the law. Now, for instance,
if I knew that the Canadian Pacific Railway, let us say, had discovered
large coal bearing lands, and if I used that private knowledge to buy
your Canadian Pacific stock at, say,